Device for the developing, fixing and washing of cinematograph films in daylight



March 4, 1958 P. E. MADER 2,825,272

' DEVICE FOR THE DEVELOPING. FIXING AND WASHING OF CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS IN DAYLIGHT Filed Aug. 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 #vmemroa P5 75/2 21m? MAZDA'R March 4, '1958' I P. E. MADER 2,825,272 DEVICE FOR THE DEVELOPING, FIXING AND WASHING OF CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS IN DAYLIGHT Filed Aug. 3, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Elccfrical 1 Heater l.l1 I'll!!! JI I Automulic Tem erature Conhwl Means A5 752 21m? M1052 arrogmeys United grates PatentO I DEVICE FOR THE DEVELOPING, FIXING AND WASHING F CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS IN DAYLIGHT Peter Ernst Miider, Zurich, Switzerland, assignor of fifty percent to Firma Companie des Montres Longines Francillon S. A., St. lmier, Switzerland Application August 3, 1954, Serial No. 447,537

Claims priority, application Switzerland September 9, 1953 14 Claims. 01. 95-90 The present invention relates to a device for the developing, fixing and washingof cinematographic films, and has the main object of providing a device of the kind referred to which can be operated in daylight with out the need for a dark room.

it is another object of the invention to provide a device of the kind referred to which is particularly suitable for the developing of target films or the like, where it is essential to perform all the operations as quickly as possible.

With these and other objects in view I provide a device for the developing, fixing and washing of cinematograph films in daylight, comprising in combination: a tank having several compartments each for one of the photographic baths, a container receiving the film to be treated, adjustable relative to the said tank into operative position with respect to a selected compartment thereof, guide means guiding the film through the said container, a riser tube mounted in each of the said compartments issuing at the top thereof and adapted to contact in a liquidand air-tight manner an aperture provided at the bottom of the said container, a source of compressed air having a discharge pipe movable in conjunction with the said container and adapted to contact with its discharge opening in an air tight manner an aperture provided in the top of each compartment.

For example a bellows is provided as the said source of compressed air.

Preferably the said tank is subdivided into five compartments, the first one receiving a first developer, the second one a second developer, the third one a stop bath, the fourth one a fixing bath, and the fifth one washing Water.

The device according to the invention may comprise in addition: resilient means operatively engaging the openings of that tank compartment upon which the said container is actually adjusted, and also a rotatable drum having a helical guide rib on its circumference mounted in the said container, the said guide rib engaging the edge of the film to be treated in the said device. A hand crank may be coupled to the said drum, rotating the same in operation.

Moreover the said device may comprise in addition: a hooked stationary guide rod arranged in the said container alongside the said drum at a distance therefrom, the said guide rod guiding a film introduced into the said container in the axial direction of the said drum helically around the said drum. Preferably the said guide rod is tiltably pivoted to the said container.

A preferred form of the device for the developing, fixing and washing of cinematograph films in daylight comprises in combination: a tank having several compartments each for one of the photographic baths, a container receiving the film to be treated, adjustable relative to the said tank into operative position with r 2,825,272 Ifqtented Mar. .4, 71958 2 respect to a selected compartment thereof, projections provided on the said container, a tub surrounding the said tank, guides arranged on top of the said tank shiftably guiding the said container, rests provided on the said tub adapted to be engaged by the said projections of the said container and locating the latter in its position adjusted, guide means guiding the film through the said container, a riser tube mounted in each of the said compartments issuing at the top thereof and adapted to contact in a liquidand air-tight manner an aperture provided at the bottom of the said container, a source of compressed air having a discharge pipe movable in conjunction with the said container and adapted to contact with its discharge opening in an air-tight manner an aperture provided in the top of each compartment.

' Preferably the said tub surrounding the said tank forms a water bath, and provisions are made for an electric heating means for the said water bath arranged in the said tub, and for automatic temperature regulating meansresponsive to the temperature of the said water-bath and operatively connected to the said heating means, controlling the current supply thereto.

These and other features and objects of the invention will be clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 a transverse section thereof, and

Fig. 3 a part-section along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

The device illustrated for the developing, fixing and watering of cinematograph films in daylight comprises a tank 2, which contains the various photographic baths in that it is subdivided in the longitudinal direction, for example into five compartments.

In a first compartment is contained a developer, in a second compartment a second developer, in a third compartment a stop bath, in a fourth compartment a fixing bath, and in a fifth compartment Water for washing the finished exposed and developed film. As will be seen from Fig. 2, the tank 2 is accommodated in a tub I in such a manner that it is surrounded by a water bath 3. This bath is adapted to be heated by for example electrical heating means and can be provided with an automatic temperature control means.

Each of the five compartments of the tank 2 has on its top a small aperture 4 and a hole 5. These holes are arranged in the longitudinal centre line of the tank. In continuation of each hole 5 a riser pipe 6 is provided which extends into the tank compartment concerned.

On the tub I on both sides rails 7 are provided which have rests 8 and are provided at its juxtaposed faces with guides 9.

Over the tank 2 and the tub 1, respectively, the developing container 10 is slidable on the guides 9.

This container is adapted to be closed by a lid 11 tightly against light, and contains a drum 11 on which there is a rib 12, the helical pitch of which is chosen in such a manner that the axial distance of the turns corre sponds to the width of the film 13 to be developed. The drum 11 is rotatable by hand by means of a crank 14. Above the drum 11' a film guiding rod 14' is provided, the cranked ends 15 (Fig. l) of which are pivotally journalied in a side wall of the container 10. The rod 14, owing to its weight and to its eccentrical arrangement, rests on the ribs 12, and causes the film 13 entering in the axial direction of the drum 11' to be deflected and to place itself, as illustrated, between the turns 12. The film emerging from the casing 15 is then directed with its sensitive side downward in its portion running in the axial direction of the drum. Owing to the deflection by the rod 14', the sensitive layer comes to lie outwardly on the drum 11.

The tub 1 carries an air bellows 16, which is in communication with the container 10 through'a hose connection 17. The operation of the bellows is efiected by a pusher 18. In the casing 10 a drainage gutter 19 is provided, and as will be seen from Fig. 2, the pipe 17 leads to a bend 24 built into the container 10, which has an orifice 20 directed downwardly. Moreover in the bottom of the container 10 an aperture 21 is provided, the diameter of which corresponds to that of the riser tubes 6. The openings 20, 21 are arranged in such a manner that they correspond with the apertures 4, of one of the tank compartments, any time the pins 22 of the casing engage in certain rests 8. For the guidance of the container 10 in the tub I there is provided, in addition to the pins 22, a further pair of rigid pins on the left end (Fig. 1) of the container 10, whichslide in the guides 9. Moreover, resilient pins 25 are provided, which are arranged side by side with the pins 22 and secure the container 18 on the tub I.

The film magazine with the exposedfilm is attached to the container 10 in a manner not shown, for example by means of a bayonet joint. The exit opening of the magazine comes then to lie on the entrance opening 23 of the container 10.

The manner of operation of thedevice described is as follows;

At the beginning of the treatment of a film the container 10 engages with its pins 22 in the first rests 8, i. e. the container is in the position illustrated in Fig. l. The apertures 26, 21 are then positioned over the holes 4, 5 of the first tank compartment. The resilient pins 25 arranged side by side with the pins 22 take care that the container 16 is pressed on to the tank 2. Between the container 10 and tank 2 conveniently a packing is provided so that these two components of the device rest upon one another in an airand liquid-tight manner. When now the knob or pusher 18 is pressed downward and the bellows 16 is thereby compressed, air is pressed through the bend 24 and the apertures 20, 4 into the first tank compartment, which has the consequence that part of the liquid contained therein rises into the container 14).

At the same time the drum Ill is turned by means of the crank 14, and thereby the film 13 is wetted on all sides by the first bath. When the knob 18 is released, the bellows 16 rises, whereby a vacuum is generated and the liquid is sucked again from the container 1t} back into the first tank compartment. By pressing down the knob 18 for a longer or shorter time, the period of development in the individual baths can be dosed at will.

When the film has been subject to treatment by the first bath and the liquid has returned from the container 10 into the first tank compartment, the containeris shifted in the longitudinal direction on the tub 1, until the pins 22 drop into the next rests 8. Thereupon the Whole process is repeated. 'l'he film, after treatment by the five baths, is developed, fixed and washed to a finish. All these operations can be carried out in daylight very well and quickly, owing to which the construction illustrated is particularly suitable for the developing of target films.

While 1 have described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings what may be considered a typical and particularly useful embodiment of my said invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular detailsand dimensions described and illustrated, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: Q

l. A device for the developing, fixing and washing of cinematograph films in daylight, comprising in combination: a tank having several compartments each for one of the photographic baths, a container. receiving the film to be treated, adjustable relative to said tank into operative position with respect to a selected compartment thereof,

projections provided on said container, a tub surrounding said tank, guides arranged on the top of said tank displaceably guiding the said container, rests provided on said tub adapted to be engaged by said projections of said container and locating the latter in its position as adjusted, guide means guiding the film through said container, a riser tube mounted in each of said compartments issuing at the topthereof and adapted to contact in a liquidand air-tight manner an aperture provided at the bottom of said container when the latter is adjusted in position above the respective compartment, a source of compressed air having a discharge pipe movable in conjunction with said container and adapted to contact with its discharge opening in an air tight manner an aperture provided in the top of each compartment when said container is adjusted in position above the latter, and air pressure means adapted for pressing air through said inlet pipe into said compartment so asto exert pressure on the liquid therein and cause the same to rise through said riser tube into said container and act upon said cinematographic film therein.

2; A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tub surrounding said tank forms a water bath.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, comprising in addition; electric heating means for said water bath arranged in said tub, and automatic temperature regulating means responsive to the temperature of said water bath and operatively connected to said heating means controlling the current supply thereto.

4. An apparatus for developing, fixing and washing photographic materials, such as cinematographic films and the like, in daylight, comprising an elongated tank, closed at the top and consisting of several compartments each destined for receiving a difierent liquid for the treatment of said photographic material, a developing container for receiving undeveloped photographic material therein, said container being mounted on top of said tank means for displacement by sliding said container on said tank and causing said container to register successively with each of said compartments, there being an opening in the bottom of said container, means for adjusting said container in position above each of said compartments, means for introducing air under pressure through said container into the one of said compartments with which said container is caused to register so as to exert pressure on the liquid therein, riser means in each of said compartments in registration with said container opening when said container is adjusted into position above each of said compartmentsfor the liquid to rise from the compartment registering with said container into the latter and act upon the photographic material therein when said liquid is under air pressure.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said source of air under pressure is a bellows.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, comprising in addition: a film magazine detachably connected to the said container in a light-tight manner.

7. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the said tank is subdivided into five compartments, the first one receiving a first developer, the second one a second developer, the third one a stop bath, the fourth one a fixing bath, and the fifth one washing water.

8. A device as claimed in claim 4, comprising in addition: a rotatable drum having a helical guide rib on its circumference mounted in said container, said guide rib engaging the edge of the photographic material such as cinematographic film and the like to be treated in the said device.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, comprising in addition: a hand crank coupled to said drum and rotating the same in (operation.

' it). A device as claimed in claim 8, comprising in addition: a hooked stationary guide rod arranged in said container along-side said drum at a distance therefrom,

said guide rod guiding a film introduced into said container in the axial direction of said drum helically around said drum.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said guide rod is tiltably pivoted to the said container.

12. An apparatus for developing, fixing and washing photographic materials such as cinematographic films and the like, in daylight, comprising an elongated tank closed at the top and consisting of several compartments each destined for receiving a different liquid for the treatment of said photographic material, a developing container for receiving undeveloped photographic material therein, said container being mounted on top of said tank means for displacement by sliding said container on said tank and causing said container to register successively with each of said compartments, a bottom portion of said container being provided with an opening, an inlet pipe leading from the outside through said container to an orifice in said bottom portion adjacent said opening, a riser tube mounted in each compartment and having an orifice in the top thereof, each compartment having an opening at the top adjacent said riser tube orifice, said opening in each of said compartments being spaced from said riser tube orifice therein by the same distance as said inlet pipe orifice from said opening in said container bottom portion, means for adjusting said container in position above each of said compartments in successive order and causing said orifice and opening of said bottom portion to register with said opening and orifice respectively in said compartment, air pressure means being connected to said inlet pipe outside said container and being adapted for pressing air through said inlet pipe into said compartment so as to exert pressure on the liquid therein and cause the same to rise through said riser tube into said container and act upon said photographic material therein.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, comprising in addition: resilient means operatively engaging the said container and keeping the opening and inlet pipe orifice of said container in tightly sealed contact with the corresponding riser tube orifice and opening respectively of that tank compartmentupon which the said container is actually adjusted.

14. An apparatus for developing, fixing and washing photographic materials such as cinematographic films and the like, in daylight, comprising an elongated tank, having a closed top wall, a plurality of compartments disposed in said tank successively in longitudinal direction, for receiving liquids for treating the photographic material therein, each compartment being provided with a first and second opening in said top wall, said first opening being spaced from said second opening at the same distance for each compartment, a riser pipe in each of said compartments attached to and registering with said first opening, guiding means on top of said tank extending in the direction of said successive compartments, a developing container mounted on said guide means and adapted displaceably for successive registration with said compartments, for receiving undeveloped photographic material therein, means for sealing said container hermetically against daylight, a bottom portion for said container having a first and second aperture being disposed therein for registration with said first and second opening respectively in one of said compartments, an inlet pipe leading from the outside through said container to said second aperture, air pressure means connected to said inlet pipe outside said container, and means for adjusting said container in position above one of said compartments for registration of said first and second aperture of said container with said first and second opening of said compartment respectively, said air pressure means being adapted for pressing air through said inlet pipe into said compartment so as to exert pressure on the liquid therein and cause the same to rise through said riser tube into said container and act upon said photographic material therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 55,682 Leech June 19, 1866 385,264 Harvey June 26, 1886 1,079,288 Caballero Nov. 18, 1913 1,202,405 Mischansky Oct. 24, 1916 1,525,423 Hernandez-Mejia Feb. 3, 1925 2,349,823 Howard May 30, 1944 2,401,185 Pratt et al. May 28, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 64,467 Germany Sept. 19, 1892 24,224 Switzerland Oct. 8, 1902 34,130 Switzerland July 13, 1905 

